Easier steering for ‘35 Tudor?

[AnthonyG]

I can’t find any threads right now but know they’re are som on using a different year Ford steering box to make steering considerably easier?

[TJ]

You use a 37-39 box. There have been lots of discussions on here about the change

[cas3]

As Tj suggested, the 37 & up box is a big improvement. You get a 17 to one ratio, as opposed to 15 to one, and a rolling sector to reduce the drag, or friction. All ford parts, and a bolt in with Drakes mount kit, or modify you mount. Lots of previous threads here if you look.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by cas3

As Tj suggested, the 37 & up box is a big improvement. You get a 17 to one ratio, as opposed to 15 to one, and a rolling sector to reduce the drag, or friction. All ford parts, and a bolt in with Drakes mount kit, or modify you mount. Lots of previous threads here if you look.

Using the '37-'39 allows the use of the steering wheel headlight switch just like in your '35, as the '39 was the last year to incorporate that feature.

Coop

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[deuce lover]

The '37 is an actual drop in as the locking collar is in same location.You will need to replace the frame bracket also.Make sure you get the 37-39 light switch bracket also.The 35 will not work.

[Planojc]

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I installed a 39 in my 35 and it's like having power steering. As deuce said, get the 37-39 mounting bracket with it.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

The '37 is an actual drop in as the locking collar is in same location.You will need to replace the frame bracket also.Make sure you get the 37-39 light switch bracket also.The 35 will not work.

Pictured below is a '39 box with the light switch assembly in place.





Here is the difference between your '35 frame mount bracket (left) and the later, '37 and onward bracket. The later brackets like you need show-up frequently in the SWAP MEET as well as on eBay.





Comparing the older '35 (on right) with the newer '37 - '39 unit.

DID YOU EVER get your Bendix Brakes installed on your car?

Coop

[Krylon32]

Might also check with Neal Jennings [email protected] Currently one of the best early Ford steering guys in the country.

[AnthonyG]

Thx all! It’s exactly the help I was looking for!

[blucar]

Anthony,,, You will need to change the '35 pitman arm.. I tried several pitmans on my '36 when I switched from a '36 box to a '40.. I ended up using a 21-A 3590-3 015 which I believe is '42 '48.
Most guys heat and bend their earlier pitmans to get the proper clearance and/or not having the pitman hanging down below the chassis. I did not like that idea.
I used a '40 gear box because I have a column shift trans and have changed the headlights to a pull switch with a floor mounted dimmer switch and a dash mounted starter button located on the left side of the dash adjacent to the headlight switch.
I put the dimmer switch between the brake/clutch peddles where the original floor mounted starter switch was located.
The lighting/starter/dimmer conversion make the '36 very user friendly and trouble free.

[AnthonyG]

DID YOU EVER get your Bendix Brakes installed on your car?

Coop

Hi Coop, I did get the Lincoln Bendix on the front & the Lockheed’s on rear! I definitely noticed the improved stopping immediately! I thought I sent a PM but probably just replied in orig thread thanking u for the valuable help!
Thx again!
I’m turning 74 & anything I can do to make her easier to drive ( strength & drivability) that’s obviously what this thread’s about! I Think I originLy had a post / thread on power steering when some of the guys said the ‘37-‘40 steering box conversion improved steering a lot!

[johndee138]

http://www.goldengatev8.org/tips/Ste...ngGearSwap.htm

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

[B][I][SIZE="4"]
I’m turning 74 & anything I can do to make her easier to drive ( strength & drivability) that’s obviously what this thread’s about! I Think I originLy had a post / thread on power steering when some of the guys said the ‘37-‘40 steering box conversion improved steering a lot!

Anthony ..... When it comes time to swapping steering boxes, don't rule-out the Saginaw 525 steering box. They came in mid-size GM cars (and others) like Chevelles and Cutlasses. Millions of 'em out there and they were available with a choice of ratios, also. They are about the same size as a '37 - '48 Ford steering box, but have the feel of a modern-day steering gear, and are far less likely to be worn-out like an old Ford box could easily be. Your Pitman arm will even fit the "525". A typical "525" shown BELOW and they go into a '35 - '40 chassis quite nicely.

Coop

[blucar]

The GM 525 steering box is a neat little trick for use on many vintage vehicles. I have one in my '40 Buick Super, my brother has one in his '54 Chevy Belair 2 dr sdn.
The one thing you have to watch out for is the indexing portion of the spline, Most early cars do not have the wide rib that modern cars have. A little work with a TREMEL TOOL to remove a tooth within the spline on the pitman arm solves the problem.

[V8COOPMAN]

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Anthony ...... It's even easier than I had remembered!


I just ran over to the H.A.M.B. and took a peek. There is an article documenting this swap into a '36 Ford.

The pictures below show a 525 box bolted onto the stock 1936 frame mount using an adapter plate that is available from "Pete & Jakes" as well as many others, I'm sure.



Coop


Click this link BELOW and scroll down to the 10th (TENTH) post for the whole story.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ticle.1263650/



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[cas3]

That looks like street rod parts to me, I think keeping all bolt on Ford parts a way better move. Looks stock, but drives mo better.

[blucar]

I like the '37-40 Ford steering gear swap because nothing changes in the car except the later frame mount.
I like improvement that are basically 'bolt-in'.
I almost put an SBC V8 in my '36 in the early '60's. We put one in my brothers '36 pickup, a 283, it was his every day driver to get to and from work and the engine was about dead.
I still have everything it takes to put an SBC into a Ford sitting on a shelf in my garage.

[FlatheadTed]

(37 to 40 Box ) I have done this swap several times but using the stock 35/36 bracket
if you take a measurement from the lower bolt on the later mount to the dash you will see the distance increases by about 12 mm or so .I have now changed mine from 37 to a 39 Mercury box , great for angle parking . Ted

[prez]

Try to find a ford mount or redrill your 37-39 box . The Drake one I fitted to my 36 didn’t line up at frame holes

[FlatheadTed]

Yeah stay with the stock 35 mount and drill the box approx 10 mm lower on the top hole ,to cut the rivets and try and replace them to look professional is not easy